Helping kids, teens, and adults build the tools they need to thrive—now and for life.
In today’s chaotic, always-on world, our attention is constantly being pulled in ten different directions. From nonstop notifications and tight schedules to balancing work, school, and home responsibilities, many of us—kids and adults alike—are overstimulated, distracted, and struggling to manage day-to-day tasks. For some, these challenges aren’t about laziness or lack of motivation—they’re rooted in executive functioning: the mental skills we use to stay organized, regulate emotions, plan ahead, and get things done.
That’s where executive functioning coaching comes in.
At Dr. Sharon Arbel & Associates, our Focus Forward Executive Functioning Coaching program is grounded in brain-based science, real-world application, and practical skill-building tailored to each individual. But is coaching really worth the investment?
Let’s break it down.
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive skills that help us plan, organize, initiate tasks, manage emotions, and stay focused. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, these functions are like the “air traffic control system” of the brain—crucial for navigating daily life, particularly in environments with competing demands or distractions (Harvard University, 2025).
Core executive functioning skills include:
- Working memory
- Cognitive flexibility
- Inhibitory control (impulse regulation)
- Emotional regulation
- Planning and prioritizing
- Task initiation
- Goal-directed persistence
When these areas are underdeveloped or impaired—whether due to ADHD, learning differences, stress, or simply a developmental lag—it can make even routine tasks feel impossible.
Why Traditional Tutoring or Therapy Isn’t Always Enough
While tutoring focuses on academic content and therapy addresses emotional and behavioral concerns, executive functioning coaching bridges the gap. It’s not about re-teaching math or exploring past trauma—it’s about building practical, personalized strategies that help individuals manage the how of getting things done.
Think:
- Learning how to break down assignments
- Developing systems for organizing school materials
- Practicing how to manage time and avoid procrastination
- Navigating emotional blocks to starting or finishing tasks
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, people with executive functioning difficulties are 2–3 times more likely to struggle in both academic and workplace settings—even when they are capable and motivated.
Research from the Journal of Applied Psychology further reinforces this, noting that deficits in executive functioning are linked to reduced job performance, difficulty adapting to workplace changes, and increased stress levels among employees (Blickle et al., 2020).
What Makes Coaching So Effective?
Our FocusForward program pairs clients with trained executive functioning coaches who use research-informed strategies, real-life simulations, and compassionate accountability.
Executive functioning affects virtually every aspect of life—from managing your inbox and remembering appointments to showing up prepared for meetings or simply getting through the day without constant overwhelm. When these skills are strengthened, you don’t just perform better—you feel more confident, more capable, and more in control.
Coaching has been shown to improve:
- Emotional regulation and resilience
- Planning, organization, and follow-through
- Confidence and independence
- Work productivity and satisfaction
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, people with executive functioning difficulties are 2–3 times more likely to struggle in both academic and workplace settings—even when they are capable and motivated.
Research from the Journal of Applied Psychology also links executive functioning deficits to reduced job performance, difficulty adapting to change, and increased workplace stress.
When left unaddressed, these patterns can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and stalled potential—for children, teens, and adults alike.
Investing in executive functioning coaching is about more than surviving the school year—it’s about equipping individuals with life skills they’ll use well into adulthood. These include:
- Planning and goal-setting
- Adaptive thinking under pressure
- Prioritization and decision-making
- Independent problem-solving
As demands grow through middle school, high school, college, and beyond, these tools become increasingly essential—not only for academic success, but for navigating work, relationships, and personal goals.
Why Families Choose Focus Forward
Many adults and parents reach out to us when they’ve tried everything else—planners, productivity hacks, self-help books—but still feel stuck. For adults, executive functioning challenges can show up as missed deadlines, burnout, constant disorganization, or a lingering sense that they’re underperforming despite their best efforts. For parents, the concern might be a child who avoids homework, melts down over small transitions, or struggles to stay on task. No matter the age or context, the root is often the same: underdeveloped executive functioning skills that need direct support and practical tools to improve.
Ready to Learn More?
The Focus Forward program begins with a comprehensive executive functioning assessment to identify each individual’s strengths and areas of difficulty. From there, we design a fully personalized 10-week coaching plan tailored to those specific needs. Each session builds on practical strategies to support real-life application, whether you’re working on time management, emotional regulation, or task follow-through. The program is offered virtually, making it accessible from anywhere, and the full 10-week package is available for $1,500.
Visit our Focus Forward Executive Functioning Coaching page to learn how our 10-week program works and how it can support you, your child, or teen. We’d love to talk with you about how coaching can help your family move from chaos to clarity—one step at a time.
Sources
- Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University – Executive Function & Self-Regulation
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/ - National Center for Learning Disabilities – Executive Function Skills Are Essential for Learning and Life
https://www.ncld.org/news/executive-function-skills-are-essential-for-learning-and-life/ - Rush NeuroBehavioral Center – Executive Function and Workplace Productivity
https://www.rnbc.org/executive-function-and-workplace-productivity/ - Blickle, G., Meurs, J. A., Zettler, I., Solga, J., Noethen, D., Kramer, J., & Ferris, G. R. (2020). Personality, political skill, and job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(3), 631–639.
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